484 GEOLOGY OF NORTHWESTERN TEXAS. 



by far the most important reason why deep plowing should be practiced in 

 the northwest. The soils are good and the seasons are all that could be de- 

 sired in temperature, if there was only sufficient moisture. So anything that 

 will go to improve that matter will materially add to the agricultural devel- 

 opment of the country. 



The question may be asked, how deep should the soil be broken? In most 

 of the lands I would answer, the deeper the better. If it is possible, let two 

 furrows be run in the same place. A furrow should be made with the com- 

 mon plow eight or ten inches deep, and that followed by the subsoil plow to 

 a depth of twelve or fourteen inches. Whether the subsoil should be thrown 

 up to the surface depends upon the character of the soil and the subsoil and 

 the crops to be cultivated upon it. For the purpose of furnishing a storage 

 for the surplus water, which is the most important for this country, either 

 way would prove equally beneficial. 



A few experiments of this kind would satisfy the farmers that it would be 

 better to have a small farm well tilled than a large one that has to depend 

 upon the shallow tillage for moisture during a short drouth. 



FRUITS. 



The wild fruits of the northwestern part of the State are restricted to a 

 few kinds only. . The plum, currant, wild haw, grapes, dewberries, blackber- 

 ries, and algireta are the principal kinds. 



Plums. — There are several kinds of wild plums found in the northwest, 

 some of them in the greatest abundance. Along the rivers, especially the 

 Brazos, Big Wichita, Pease, and Red River the wild Chickasaw is very abund- 

 ant; along the sand beaches and sand dunes the thickets grow in the greatest 

 profusion. These plums are of a very fine quality, and large amounts are 

 gathered every year by the citizens and preserved in various ways. They 

 seem to be of two kinds, differing apparently only m color, and both varieties 

 often growing in the same thicket. 



Currants. — Currants grow along the upper branches of the rivers and 

 along the foot of the Staked Plains. They are quite abundant in places and 

 are of excellent flavor. 



Wild Haw. — There are several kinds of red haw growing along the 

 creeks and rivers in the northwest. Although the berries are small, yet in 

 the absence of other kinds of fruit they are very palatable, and a great many 

 of them are gathered and used. Black haws are abundant, and are relished 

 by everybody who takes the time to gather them. 



Grapes. — Wild grapes grow abundantly in places. A kind known as the 

 sand beach grows along the rivers and creeks in the northwest very abund- 

 antly. The vines are short and very seldom need any support other than 



